Violence against women drops in Khost this year

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): Incidents of violence against women significantly decreased in southeastern Khost province from 55 last year to so far 17 incidents this year, an official said.

Khost women’s affairs director Malala Wali told an academic research seminar on violence against women here that the incidents happened this year included denial of inheritance right, divorce, underage marriages, forced marriage and beating.

She said her department had been able to address seven of the cases in consultation with legal experts.

She linked the decrease in violence against women to her department’s efforts at creating awareness among the females about their rights.

Khost governor Hukam Khan Habibi said illiteracy, use of drugs and old traditions contributed to the violence against the gender.

He said if the authorities concerned and religious scholars joined hands in preventing crimes against women, the situation could further improve.